Automatic transport device for cargo loading system

Abstract

An automated transport device for moving a cargo unit within an aircraft cargo compartment is provided. The transport device comprises a base body and shifting means, wherein the base body is to carry the cargo unit. The shifting means is to generate a movement of the base body along a floor of the cargo compartment perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and, after that, along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft without rotation of the base body.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An automated transport device for moving a cargo unit within a cargo compartment of an aircraft, comprising:
 a base body to carry the cargo unit; 
 a shifting device to generate a movement of the base body along a floor of the cargo compartment perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft and, after that, along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft without rotation of the base body; 
 a coupling for providing at least one of an electrical, a mechanical and a fluid link to a second transport device; 
 wherein a position of the coupling is displaceable along at least a section of an edge of the base body. 
 
     
     
       2. Transport device according to  claim 1 , wherein the position of the coupling is displaceable such that a coupling direction towards the second transport device is changeable by at least 90 degrees. 
     
     
       3. Transport device according to  claim 1 , wherein the section of the edge has a rounded shape such that the coupling is displaceable along a circular path. 
     
     
       4. The transport device according to  claim 1 , wherein the transport device further comprises:
 a cargo unit receiving device to lift the cargo unit above the cargo compartment floor level and to lower the cargo unit such that the cargo unit rests on the target position. 
 
     
     
       5. An automated cargo transportation arrangement for moving a cargo unit within a cargo compartment of an aircraft, comprising:
 a first transport device for moving a first cargo unit within the cargo compartment, including a first base body to carry the first cargo unit and a first shifting device to generate a movement of the first base body along a floor of the cargo compartment perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft and, after that, along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft without rotation of the base body; and 
 a second transport device for moving a second cargo unit within the cargo compartment, including a second base body to carry the second cargo unit and a second shifting device to generate a movement of the second base body along the floor of the cargo compartment. 
 
     
     
       6. The transportation arrangement according to  claim 5 , wherein the first transport device is at least one of mechanically and electrically coupled to the second transport device by a coupling. 
     
     
       7. The transportation arrangement according to  claim 6 , wherein a position of the first transport device and the second transport device relative to each other is changeable by displacing the coupling between the first transport device and the second transport device. 
     
     
       8. The transportation arrangement according to  claim 6 , wherein rounded edges are provided at the first transport device and the second transport device at a position transversely to each other across the coupling, when both the first transport device and the second transport device are positioned on the same longitudinal axis of the aircraft. 
     
     
       9. The transportation arrangement according to  claim 8 , wherein the rounded edges are formed such that the coupling can be simultaneously displaced along the rounded edges of the first transport device and the second transport device such that a horizontal angular orientation of the first transport device and of the second transport device relative to a longitudinal cargo floor direction is maintained. 
     
     
       10. The transportation arrangement according to  claim 5 , wherein the transportation arrangement further comprises a third transport device;
 wherein the first transport device, the second transport device and the third transport device of the transportation arrangement are arranged in series relative to each other. 
 
     
     
       11. A method for providing a transportation arrangement at a start position on a floor of a cargo compartment and for loading a cargo unit into the cargo compartment of an aircraft, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a transportation arrangement including a first transport device coupled to a second transport device at an entrance area of the floor of the cargo compartment, the first transport device and the second transport device arranged in series in a direction transversally to a longitudinal direction of a floor of the aircraft; 
 moving the transportation arrangement transversally to the longitudinal direction of the floor; 
 displacing the first transport device relative to the second transport device such that the first transport device moves in the longitudinal direction; and 
 positioning of the transportation arrangement at a start position such that the transportation arrangement receives a cargo unit and is arranged to move in the longitudinal direction. 
 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein in the displacing of the first transport device, a horizontal angular orientation of the first transport device and the second transport device relative to the longitudinal direction of the floor is maintained. 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the displacing of the first transport device comprises at least one of an opening and a closing of a locking system between the first transport device and the second transport device. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving the cargo unit by the transportation arrangement; 
 moving the transportation arrangement with the cargo unit to a target position; 
 depositing the cargo unit by the transportation arrangement such that the cargo unit rests on the target position. 
 
     
     
       15. The transportation arrangement according to  claim 5 , wherein the first transport device further comprises:
 a cargo unit receiving device to lift the first cargo unit above the cargo compartment floor level and to lower the first cargo unit such that the first cargo unit rests on the target position.